to set there and tell me you're
cal'latin' to--you can't do it! You can't be goin' to try such a--"

"Oh, yes, I can. I may not succeed, but I can try."

Captain Obed seldom lost his temper, but he lost it now.

"By the everlastin'!" he roared. "And this is the young feller that I've
been holdin' up and backin' up as all that's fair and above board! John
Kendrick, do you realize--"

"Easy, Captain, easy. Perhaps I realize what I'm doing better than you
do."

"You don't neither. Emily Howes--"

John's interruption was sharper now.

"That'll do, Bangs," he said. "Suppose we omit names."

"No, we won't omit 'em. I tell you you don't realize. You're drivin'
that girl right straight to Heman Daniels, that's what you're doin'."

Kendrick smiled. "I should say there was no driving necessary," he
observed. "Daniels seems to be already the chosen guardian and adviser.
I do realize what I'm doing, Captain, and," deliberately, "I shall do
it."

"John, Emily--"

"Hush! I like you, Captain Obed. I don't wish to quarrel with you. Take
my advice and omit that young lady's name."

Captain Obed made one last appeal.

"John," he pleaded, desperately, "don't! I know you're sort of--sort
of tied up to Holliday Kendrick; I know you feel that you are. But this
ain't a question of professional honor and that kind of stuff. It's
right and wrong."

"Is it? I think not. I was quite willing to discuss the rights and
wrongs, but I had no--however, that is past. I was informed last night,
and in your hearing, that the question was to be purely a matter of
legal skill--of law--between Daniels and myself. Very well; I am a
lawyer. Good morning, Captain Bangs."

The captain left the office, still protesting. He was hurt and angry.
It was not until later he remembered he had not told Kendrick that Heman
Daniels must have spoken without authority when he declared himself the
chosen representative of Mrs. Barnes and Emily in all matters between
the pair and John. Heman could not have been given such authority
because, according to Thankful's story, she and Miss Howes had
immediately gone upstairs after leaving the living-room. Daniels
could have spoken with them again that evening. But when Captain Obed
remembered this it was too late. Thankful had asked Mr. Daniels to take
her case, provided the attempt at ousting her from her property ever
reached legal proceedings. And Emily Howes left East Wellmouth two days
later.

She had not